San Jose de Playon

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Water

Overview

San Jose de Playon is located within the municipality of La Paz in the department of La Paz in southern Honduras. The typical house is made of adobe. Children in the community have access up to 9th grade. The community has an existing gravity water system that provides water to 100% of the households, but San Jose de Playon is struggling with ensuring the water fee payment. Most of the community members work in agriculture and coffee growing. The top needs expressed by San Jose de Playon‘s inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades are healthcare access, public health projects, and a community center.

Municipality: La Paz
Department: La Paz

Homes : 300
Population : 1500
Water System : Yes
Community Bank : No
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : No
Homes with Latrines : 100%
Education : Up to 9th grade
Distance from Lodging Facility : 35 km

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS

The Honduran government provides two different types of health centers throughout rural Honduras: Centros de Salud Médico Odontológico (CESAMOs) and Centros de Salud Rural (CESARs). CESAMOs are the larger of the two, often found in municipalities, and typically have at least one physician on staff at all times with nurses and potentially a dentist. CESARs are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available. Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available in these health centers and the physician density in Honduras remains around 1,220 people for every one doctor. According to the World Health Organization, there should be a maximum of 435 people per physician to qualify a country as having adequate access to medical attention.

San Jose de Playon does not have a health care center located in their community and community members need to travel to the nearest one located 1 kilometer away. Whenever they visit the healthcare center, it is not always adequately staffed nor does it always have adequate medications in stock. The most common illnesses children face are the common cold, gastrointestinal, and respiratory issues. The most common illnesses seen in adults are hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

27

Patient Consulations

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

The community of San Jose de Playon does not yet have Community Health Workers. Global Brigades Honduras’ Medical Program is working diligently to train volunteers as CHWs in its partner communities as part of the Holistic Model. San Jose de Playon will receive training as soon as possible to further support the health of its community members.

 

Community Health Workers, or Guardianes de Salud, work on a volunteer basis as advocates for health care within their communities. While this is an existing program in Honduras and Guardianes de Salud are identified by other organizations and some health centers, Global Brigades is able to bridge gaps in access to training and provide more comprehensive technical skills. Our CHWs are some of the very few Guardianes de Salud to receive certification from the Honduran government. Our CHWs are tasked with treating and preventing common illnesses, and some of their responsibilities include first aid, supporting and caring for pregnancies and newborns, and responding to emergency situations. They are also responsible for following up with chronic patients to ensure proper administration of medications and treatments to avoid further complications. Additionally, CHWs provide support for brigades that are hosted in their area. At the completion of their training, CHWs are equipped with basic medical supplies and equipment provided by Global Brigades and its partners. The presence of these volunteers and their advocacy for health within their community contributes to the sustainability of health care supported by Global Brigades’ Medical Program and is one of the most impactful disease prevention strategies in rural communities across the globe.

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE ACCESS

Working closely with the Medical Program, the Dental Program provides fillings, extractions, and fluoride treatments as a standard part of Medical Brigades. Most community members do not have regular access to dental care due to the lack of a dentist within a reasonable distance.

20

Patient Consultations

10

Number of extractions

3

Fillings Performed

N/A

Dental Education Workshop

Water

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in San Jose de Playon but has not yet begun with the Water Program. Now in the planning phase, the implementation of any improvements to the community’s existing water system will follow the Engineering Program’s assessment and start as soon as feasible.

Water System : Yes
Type of System : Gravity
Homes with Access to Water : 300
Water Council : Yes

Local Reference Points

View the map to see the closest volunteer lodging facilities, hospitals, and other relevant points of reference.

  • Feature